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Choosing a caterer for your event needs careful thought and planning. Food usually makes up the largest portion of your budget and meals can be treated as the highlight of any event, which gives caterers a crucial role in making the event a success. If you’re looking for a barbecue caterer around Brooklyn, click here to check this recommended service. Consider asking the following questions before selecting a catering service in the Brooklyn area:
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What are your specialties or signature dishes?
Catering companies have their own specialty and it’s important to know what their expertise is. Know what makes them different from other caterers in terms of their food. By asking this, you’ll know if their service can meet your needs and what food your guests shouldn’t miss. Also ask how they describe their food and if tasting can be arranged. Find a catering service that you’re confident and comfortable with.
Can you accommodate special menu requests, dietary restrictions, and guests’ allergies?
One of the major concerns for some of your guests could be their special diets, like vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, or gluten-free. If your guest list includes such people, you’d want to know if your caterer can handle these needs. You may also want to know if they will provide kid-friendly dishes for younger guests.
Do you have a license, liability insurance, and health permit?
Don’t be tempted to consider only the taste and look of the food the caterer presents. Remember to confirm if the catering service has complete papers, permits, and a license to operate. It’s very important that you choose someone who meets the required health standards to ensure your safety as well as that of your guests’.
What are your electrical and water needs?
Anyone needs water and electricity in cooking food. Knowing the catering service’s needs in preparing their food is especially helpful if the event is held outdoors.
Where do you source your ingredients?
Planners are sometimes interested in where the food comes from since guests usually ask, too. Ask the caterer if they obtain the ingredients from vendors, local farms, or other sources, and note their response.
What are the package inclusions? Which rentals are included in the price?
What’s included or excluded in the rentals can greatly affect the final budget. Learn if the rentals include the tables, linens, chairs, silverware, glassware, and other needs. Ask what expenses are not included in their proposed package.
How many staff will be present and what will be their attire?
How many staff will be present and what will be their attire?Whether you’ll have a small or big event, it’s important to ensure that there is an enough number of staff members around. The attire that they wear will also affect the overall look of the event. You’d want to ensure that the staff looks uniform and professional.
What is your proposed price and how does the price vary?
Some caterers charge according to the food chosen for the menu while others will give you a flat fee. Before choosing a catering service, make sure that you understand their price model.
Who can I contact on the day of the event?
Learn who you can call during the day of the event in case of concerns. Ensure that they provide able and dedicated people around to ensure the success of the event.
Will you accommodate vendor meals and how much will it cost?
Take note that on-site vendors also need to eat so you need to consider this in choosing your caterer. The vendors and guests may not necessarily have the same food but ask how much this will impact your budget.
Will you handle all the table settings? How will you arrange the food?
There are caterers that offer intricate food arrangements while others like a simpler presentation. If you have party favors and place cards, you’d want to know how they might help you in arranging these items on the venue.
Do you allow your staff to receive tips?
Ask the caterer directly if they allow tipping their staff. Knowing their answer to this sensitive issue will help prevent embarrassment or etiquette mistakes.
How do you handle leftovers?
Be concerned about the caterer’s procedure in dealing with a good amount of leftovers from an event. Whether they distribute uneaten food to their staff or they bring these to people in need, this is a major concern that needs to be discussed between you and the caterer.
Final Thoughts
Event planning is an exciting yet daunting task. But with the questions listed above, you’ll be able to choose your caterer better according to your needs. Although there are no correct or incorrect answers to these questions, it’s important that you choose someone with whom you agree most.
